Regardless of how many blog posts heralding “The Ten Best Goals To Set in 2016” were read or inspirational quotes were re-pinned on Pinterest, most people gave up on their New Year’s Resolutions by the third week of January (congratulations to you who made it to February!). It’s not hard to see why: unrealistic goals + the daunting task of committing to something for a year –motivation to do anything but watch the new season of "Game of Thrones" = a recipe for failure. While New Year’s is normally lauded as the holiday for personal redefinition, I propose summer as a more effective period for personal growth.
Unlike the semi-incomprehensible time-span of 12 months, summer offers up a generous but approachable window of opportunity for you to achieve your goals. Most people can barely commit to paying for Spotify Premium longer than the three-month trial period, let alone pledge to overhaul their life for a year. 2017 seems eons away and, even though the summer months tend to fly by faster than seems fair, it can be hard to stay motivated to complete a resolution with such a removed end-date. Whether your objective is physical, financial, artistic or academic, narrowing your time frame and focusing on a concrete end-point creates an environment and enthusiasm more conducive to success and creating long-term habits.
Summer is a prime season for resolutions. Between the high temperatures, the free time and the relief you feel having completed another year of school, break is practically begging you to rip through some resolutions. Complete a couple bucket list items with vacations and experiences only summer gives you the time for. Bolster your career or financial resolutions with a warm-weather job or internship. Seasonal sun provides the perfect opportunity to take your fitness or weight loss goals outside.
Summer provides the perfect opportunity to pad your soon-to-be-kick-butt résumé, learn a new skill, sport or language or finally sign up for that gym membership you’ve been swearing you’ll get. Days without classes, or more condensed, easier-to-schedule-around education, open up a window of time for you to pursue your goals. Book-ended by the concrete occurrence of the fall semester, summer additionally gives you an event to work toward. Instead of vaguely looking toward 2017, the start of school always comes sooner than expected and gives you a solid reason to stick with your summer resolutions. Who doesn’t want to show up for the first day of fall semester now semi-fluent in French, with off-the-wall stories about your impromptu trip to Mexico or with hard-earned money to spend on Chipotle and concert tickets?
This summer, ditch the “new year, new you” mantra and join the resolution revolution.
